How domestic help at Shiv Sena leader’s house nicked Rs 2.65 crore for 3 years without trace
Four domestic workers were employed at Sachin Ahir's residence. Of them, Pravin Solanki (45) has been arrested for allegedly stealing items worth crores, while the remaining three are on the run, police said.
A domestic worker employed for nearly two decades at the Worli residence of Maharashtra Legislative Council Deputy Chairperson Sachin Ahir has been arrested for allegedly stealing gold ornaments, diamond jewellery, silverware and cash worth Rs 2.65 crore over the past three years. Three other domestic workers are absconding, and the Mumbai Crime Branch has launched a search to trace them.
Ahir, a senior Shiv Sena leader, is Deputy Chairperson of the Maharashtra Legislative Council and a former state minister. He has represented the Worli constituency in the past and holds the second-highest constitutional office in the Upper House of the state legislature.
The Crime Branch’s Unit 3 is investigating the alleged theft from Ahir’s residence at Gulrukh Building on Worli Sea Face. Of four domestic workers employed there, Pravin Solanki (45) has been arrested, while the remaining three are on the run, police said.
The case was registered on the complaint of Ahir’s son, Krishna Ahir, who alleged valuables had been disappearing from the house over the last three years. The theft came to light last week after a family member searched for a piece of jewellery and found it missing. A subsequent check revealed several gold ornaments, gold biscuits, diamond jewellery, silverware and cash kept in the house had also disappeared, together valued at around Rs 2.65 crore.
Following the complaint, an FIR was registered at Worli police station before the probe was transferred to Crime Branch Unit 3. Solanki, who had worked with the family for nearly 20 years, was arrested and remanded in police custody till July 28.
Investigators said they recovered 325 grams of gold from a Mumbai jeweller to whom Solanki allegedly sold part of the stolen ornaments. Police are seeking legal opinion on whether the jeweller should be booked for receiving stolen property or treated as a witness.
During interrogation, Solanki allegedly confessed to selling the stolen valuables and sharing proceeds with his associates. Police suspect his long association with the family gave him knowledge of where valuables were kept, letting him remove expensive items over an extended period without attracting suspicion.
Story continues below this ad
“We are questioning the accused to establish where the stolen ornaments were disposed of and to identify everyone involved in the conspiracy,” a senior police officer said.
Manish Kumar Pathak is a dedicated journalist reporting for The Indian Express from Mumbai. His work demonstrates substantial Expertise and Authority across the complex field of crime reporting, with a strong focus on law enforcement actions, fraud, and cyber security challenges facing the metropolitan region.
Expertise & Authority
Affiliation: Reports for the nationally recognized daily, The Indian Express, providing his content with high Trustworthiness.
Geographical Focus: Provides comprehensive, ground-level coverage of breaking news and investigative matters across Mumbai and the surrounding regions (e.g., Thane, Vasai).
Core Authority: His reporting portfolio highlights deep Expertise in crucial beats, including:
Cyber & Financial Crime: Extensive coverage of sophisticated scams, including cases involving high-value cyber fraud, stock market manipulation scams, and fraudsters using government figures to gain trust.
Law Enforcement & Investigation: Reports directly on major police actions, including arrests made by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) in fraud cases (e.g., MHADA flat scams) and detailed coverage of murder and kidnapping investigations.
Major Incidents & Public Safety: Covers significant incidents like building collapses, road accidents, and public safety issues such as theft at large public events.
Defence & Maritime: Also covers key updates regarding the Indian Navy, including the commissioning of new vessels and strategic defense announcements.
Manish Kumar Pathak's consistent focus on crime, fraud, and the workings of the Mumbai police system establishes him as a trusted and authoritative source for critical news in Western India. ... Read More
